Bone fixation devices and methods

Abstract

The present disclosure provides devices, systems and methods of bone fixation. The disclosed devices, systems and methods facilitate secure fixation of first and second bone segments, such as to promote fusion thereof. The devices may include at least one bone engagement projection extending from an engagement surface of a plate portion for implantation into the first bone segment. A portion of the plate portion spaced from the at least one bone engagement projection may include at least one bone fixation aperture. The least one bone fixation aperture may allow for a one bone engagement projection to be inserted therethrough and into the second bone segment to affix the plate portion to the second bone segment. In some embodiments, the at least one bone fixation aperture may be a compression slot.

We claim: 
     
       1. A fixation device for fixing bone segments, comprising:
 a top surface and a bone engagement surface; 
 a proximal portion including a fixation aperture configured for acceptance of a bone fixation mechanism therethrough and into a first bone segment; 
 a distal portion including a second bone fixation aperture configured for acceptance of a bone fixation mechanism therethrough and into a second bone segment; 
 a pair of bone engagement projections connected to and extending from locations on the bone engagement surface for implantation into the first bone segment such that said pair of bone engagement projections extend normally from the locations relative to a longitudinal dimension of said proximal portion, said pair of bone engagement projections connected to said bone engagement surface at the locations spaced from lateral-most edges of said proximal portion in a medial-lateral direction and spaced from a proximal-most edge of said proximal portion in a proximal-distal direction; and 
 said distal portion being shaped in a longitudinal direction such that said distal portion extends dorsally further than said pair of bone engagement projections when said bone engagement surface engages the first bone segment and the second bone segment. 
 
     
     
       2. The fixation device of  claim 1 , wherein said distal portion extends dorsally further than said proximal portion when said proximal portion is orientated substantially horizontally. 
     
     
       3. The fixation device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal and distal portions are angled with respect to each other in the medial-lateral direction. 
     
     
       4. The fixation device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal and distal portions are angled with respect to each other in the plantar-dorsal direction. 
     
     
       5. The fixation device of  claim 4 , wherein the bone engagement projections extend from the bone engagement surface in the plantar-dorsal direction, and wherein the bone engagement projections extend further in the plantar-dorsal direction than the distal portion when the proximal portion is orientated substantially horizontally. 
     
     
       6. The fixation device of  claim 4 , wherein the bone engagement projections extend from the bone engagement surface in the plantar-dorsal direction a distance further than that of the distal portion when the proximal portion is orientated substantially horizontally. 
     
     
       7. The fixation device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal and distal portions are elongated in the proximal-distal direction, and wherein the distal portion defines a total length in the proximal-distal direction greater than a total length of the proximal portion in the proximal-distal direction. 
     
     
       8. The fixation device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal and distal portions each define a width in the medial-lateral direction, and wherein the width of the proximal portion is greater than the width of the distal portion. 
     
     
       9. The fixation device of  claim 8 , wherein the distal portion is elongated in the proximal-distal direction, and wherein the width of the distal portion tapers as it extends in the proximal-distal direction away from the proximal portion. 
     
     
       10. The fixation device of  claim 9 , wherein the distal portion includes a narrow region in the medial-lateral direction positioned at least partially between the first aperture and the second aperture in the proximal-distal direction. 
     
     
       11. The fixation device of  claim 1 , wherein the bone engagement projections extend from a proximal bone engagement surface of the bone engagement surface of the proximal portion. 
     
     
       12. The fixation device of  claim 11 , wherein the bone engagement projections extend normally from the engagement surface of the proximal portion. 
     
     
       13. The fixation device of  claim 1 , wherein the bone engagement projections extend from a medial-lateral side of the proximal portion. 
     
     
       14. The fixation device of  claim 1 , wherein the second aperture is a compression slot.